Treatment of venous ulcers with surgical adhesives derived from snake venom

THESIS

Treatment of venous ulcers with surgical adhesives derived from snake venom

^{Correspondence to}

Thesis: M. A. N. Gatti submitted this thesis for her Doctorate in Tropical Diseases at Botucatu Medical School, São Paulo State University, UNESP, Botucatu, São Paulo State, Brazil, 2008.

Advisor: Professor Silvia Regina Catharino Sartori Barraviera

Co-advisor: Professor Leila Maria Vieira

ABSTRACT

A Brazilian dictionary states that "ulcer", from the Latin word ulcuserisé, is a superficial lesion on skin or mucous membrane characterized by an inflammatory process and loss of tissue. Ulcers are a relatively frequent problem that may be worsen by infection or long-time duration. In these cases, they can represent a serious public health issue, since the increased case number contributes to the burden on the public health service. In recent decades, wound treatment has advanced in technological and scientific aspects regarding both development of new products and techniques. Ongoing research in this area is providing new products for wound treatment. Among newly tested substances that have presented successful results is fibrin glue, a snake venom derivative that promotes reduction of infection and edema as well as bleeding control and pain decrease. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate fibrin glue effects on ulcers of venous origin in 24 patients that were divided into two groups. The first one (G1) consisted of 11 patients treated without the adhesive while the second group (G2) was composed of 13 persons who were under therapy with the adhesive. The results of this study revealed that patients treated with fibrin glue evolved to a satisfactory healing when compared to the other group. Therefore, fibrin glue is an appropriate alternative for treating leg ulcers with several advantages: easy application, less pain, early hospital discharge, not transmiting diseases, lower cost than the adhesive currently available in Brazil and, finally, it is a Brazilian technology.

Key words: surgical adhesive, healing, wounds, venous ulcer.

Publication Dates

• Publication in this collection
  10 June 2009
• Date of issue
  2009